College & Career Planning

Welcome to the Oakmont College and Career Planning Page! Please feel free to browse the following resources for vital links and information that can help navigate the transition to life after high school. Don't hesitate to contact your student's guidance counselor with questions or concerns surrounding any of the resources listed here.

AmeriCorps -AmeriCorps, a program of national and community service, provides funding for education. Participants can earn an education award of up to $4,725. Individual may work before, during or after their postsecondary education and can use the funds either to pay current or future education expenses or to repay federal student loans.

Career Path -Career Path offers free online career tests and assessments, career advice and resources to assist in your job search and along your career path.

My Future - Here is help with your career direction, resume, and money for college

Naviance - A comprehensive college and career readiness solution for middle and high schools that helps align student strengths and interests to post-secondary goals, and improve student outcomes.

Occupational Outlook Handbook - The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a nationally recognized source of career information, designed to provide valuable assistance to individuals making decisions about their future work lives. Revised every two years, the Handbook describes what workers do on the job, working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects in a wide range of occupations.

Common App Ready: A "how to" for the Common Application. Please view before trying to fill out the Common Application.

Common Application- The Common Application is the recommended form of 391 selective, independent colleges and universitiesfor admission to their undergraduate programs. Many of these institutions use the form exclusively. All give equal consideration to the Common Application and the college's own form. Beginning in the fall 2001, public colleges and universities will also be included.

Princeton Review-Offers high school students effective tools to aid in the college admissions process. This site offers access to information on admissions, the application process, financial aid and more.

American College Testing(ACT) -ACT, Inc., is an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides more than a hundred assessment, research, information, and program management services in the broad areas of educational planning, career planning, and workforce development. There are resources here for both students and parents.

Colleges That Change Lives, Inc. (CTCL) - A non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process. We support the goal of each student finding a college that develops a lifelong love of learning and provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond college.

The College Board-The college board’s aim is to facilitate the student transition to higher education. The organization is a nationally recognized source of essential programs, services, and information in the areas of assessment, guidance, admission, placement, financial aid, curriculum, and research. Also includes SAT online registration!

Common App Ready: A "how to" for the Common Application. Please view before trying to fill out the Common Application.

The Common Application- The Common Application is accepted by 391 selective colleges and universities. The process allows for students to complete one application, photocopy the form and send the form to participating colleges and universities. You may complete the application online, download and mail a paper copy or apply online.

EssayEdge.com - Named "the world's premier application essay editing service" by The New York Times, EssayEdge's professional, Harvard-educated editors offer critiques and proofing; they also provide superior editing, giving you an edge in the college and graduate school application process. The site also offers sample essays and tips, and teachers can download free essay help packets in the teacher section.

Ivy Success-Strategies for admission to the most competitive colleges.

My College Guide-Get information on colleges via the college search page; create a profile of yourself to send to college; ask questions of their admissions expert; get information about paying for college; read a collection of article about college and the admission process.

Naviance - A comprehensive college and career readiness solution for middle and high schools that helps align student strengths and interests to post-secondary goals, and improve student outcomes.

The Princeton Review-The Princeton Review offers students a wealth of free and unique resources. Through special student programs and this informative and comprehensive internet site, students can gather information about tests, admissions, internships, and career programs.

Ready Set Go-This site was designed to help you figure out what steps you need to take to finish high school, go to college and get on track for a successful future. It may seem complicated, but if you start early and stay focused, it can happen.

SuperCollege.com - Find scholarships, explore colleges, get admissions tips, and explore resources for parents on this web site maintained by Gen and Kelly Tanabe, two recent Harvard graduates.

Accuplacer Exam -Students anticipating enrolling at Mount Wachusett Community College (or any school that uses the Accuplacer) who want to practice taking the Accuplacer Exam should check out the following Accuplacer Practice Test websites:

Brady Educational Services- Brady Educational Services is a local, personalized SAT prep service which also provides MCAS and subject tutoring.

College Board - Understanding Scores: Find out how your PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 scores are calculated and what those scores mean.

Education Testing Service(ETS) -Educational Testing Service is the world's largest private educational testing and measurement organization and a leader in educational research. A nonprofit company dedicated to serving the needs of individuals, educational institutions and agencies, and governmental bodies in 181 countries, ETS develops and annually administers more than 11 million tests worldwide.

Fair Test – A list of colleges and universities which are test flexible or test optional or de-emphasize the use of SAT or ACT in the admissions process.

Kaplan Education Centers-Kaptest.com is a one-stop destination on the Web for test prep, admissions, and success in school and career.

Seniors are encouraged to apply for local scholarships in addition to pursing national and university based scholarships. Local scholarships are posted in Naviance between December and May of the senior year, and students should check Naviance weekly for the updated scholarship list. Like college applications, many local scholarships have a separate application and a process unique to itself. It is the student's responsibility to determine what information and material each application requires and to provide that to the scholarship organization. If a scholarship requires a transcript and/or letters of recommendation, the student should make that request to his or her counselor two weeks prior to the scholarship deadline.

CSS/Financial Aid Profile -Use this online form to file for financial aid at selected competitive colleges, some of which require this in addition to the FAFSA.

FAFSA Online -Use this online form to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

FastWeb(Free Financial Aid and Scholarship Search) -FastWeb is one of the largest and most complete scholarship search on the Internet. It provides access to a searchable database of more than 4000,000 private sector scholarships, fellowships, grants, and student loans available to students.

Federal Student Aid - The U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid (FSA) is designed specifically for students, and provides details about the entire financial aid process, from considering which college to attend, to applying for aid, to repaying loans.

Federal Student Aid Gateway- This isthe source for free information, guidance and tools for federal student assistance from the U.S. Department of Education's office of Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA4caster tool is available here.

Financial Aid Estimators -FinAid®'s custom calculators can help you figure out how much school will cost, how much you need to save, and how much aid you'll need.

Justin Smith Morrill Scholarship - This scholarship awards grants and scholarships for post-secondary education to residents of Fitchburg, Westminster, Ashby, and Ashburnham Massachusetts. The selection of recipients of this award is made by a Scholarship Committee. Preference will be given to those students who have shown outstanding aptitude in, or who are furthering their education in the fields of science, mathematics, or engineering.

MEFA/Counselor(Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) -MEFA/COUNSELOR is a resource for families who seek help in accessing credible information and guidance about how to make higher education affordable. The links will help facilitate the process of paying for college. This 'ONE STEP' site will enable families to apply for federal, state, and institutional financial aid; explore eligibility for thousands of private scholarships at no charge; calculate need using the current federal formula; apply for very low cost educational loans; begin monthly savings or tuition payment plans, and much more!

SallieMae -Financial services company offering comprehensive site with calculators for estimating costs. (One of the industry's most respected and comprehensive sources of financial aid resources for college.)

Scholarships4School - this free website is to provide students with the tools they need to make informed decisions about obtaining scholarships and other forms of financial aid.

Tuition Exchange -A scholarship program for families of college and university faculty and staff members.